Method and apparatus for straightening hoods

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an apparatus for use with a jack for straightening automobile hoods that comprises a bracket attachable to the front of the car in the vicinity of the hood latch, a length of chain and a pair of hooks. The bracket and hooks all include key slots within which the chain can be adjustably locked. The bracket serves as a support for the lower end of the jack and the means through which the chain is directed as the opposite ends thereof pass upwardly in divergent relation to their points of attachment to the hooks which hook over opposite side margins of the hood adjacent the bend therein and function to hold same in fixed position while the jack is operated to raise the downwardly bent portion. The apparatus also preferably includes means for interconnecting the hooks across the top of the hood so that they will not fall off onto the fenders. In addition, the invention encompasses the method of straightening downwardly bent automobile hoods which comprises gripping the side margins thereof alongside the bend and holding same in fixed position while returning the bent portion to its former position by lifting same at a point ahead of said bend.

United States Patent 91 Archambault Sept. 25, 1973 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING HOODS [76] lnventor: Clayton Archambault, 760 S. Vrain,

Denver, Colo. 80219 [22] Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 248,575

52 us. Cl. 72/389, 72/705 511 rm. Cl 1321a 9/05 [58] Field of Search 72/705, 389, 292, 72/296, 297;-254/133, 135

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,835,154 5/1958 Geller 72/705 2,100,564 11/1937 Mandl et al 72/705 3,495,431 2/1970 Landon 72/705 3,206,966 9/1965 Fagan et al. 72/705 3,477,269 11/1969 Dinerman 72/705 Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-M. J. Keenan Attorney-Anderson, Spangler & Wymore [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to an apparatus for use with a jack for straightening automobile hoods that comprises a bracket attachable to the front of the car in the vicinity of the hood latch, a length of chain and a pair of hooks. The bracket and hooks all include key slots within which the chain can be adjustably locked. The bracket serves as a support for the lower end of the jack and the means through which the chain is directed as the opposite ends thereof pass upwardly in divergent relation to their points of attachment to the hooks which hook over opposite side margins of the hood adjacent the bend therein and function to hold same in fixed position while the jack is operated to raise the downwardly bent portion. The apparatus also preferably includes means for interconnecting the hooks across the top of the hood so that they will not fall off onto the fenders. In addition, the invention encompasses the method of straightening downwardly bent automobile hoods which comprises gripping the side margins thereof alongside the bend and holding same in fixed position while returning the bent portion to its former position by lifting same at a point ahead of said bend.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING HOODS In most collisions where the front end of an automobile impinges against an obstruction in its path, the hood suffers some damage and it often takes the form of a transverse bend or fold that results in the center of the hood being considerably higher than either the front or rear margins thereof in closed position. In other words, the front of the hood is pushed back causing it to buckle and produce a hump in the middle. Occasionally, the hood is twisted as opposed to being buckled, the former occurring by reason of an impact at the corner as opposed to head-on.

In either event, the straightening of a hood is a timeconsuming and expensive procedure because, under most circumstances, it requires removal of the hood preparatory to its being repaired. Then, once the repairs have been made, the hood must be reinstalled and often realigned to produce the proper fit.

It has now been found in accordance with the teaching of the instant invention that these and other difficulties associated with straightening automobile hoods can, in large measure, be overcome by the simple, but unobvious, expedient of gripping-the hood alongside the bend therein and anchoring it to a fixed support while raising up the downwardly bent portion with it still attached to the car. A twisted hood can be untwisted in much the same manner by gripping only one edge while applying the counter-rotating force to a point spaced inwardly thereof.

The apparatus used in performing the above operation consists of little more than a pair of padded hooks adapted to hook over the side margins of the hood with their key-slotted stem portions sloping downwardly and inwardly toward one another, an upstanding bracket detachably mountable in the vicinity of the hood latch on one of the bolts found in the area, a length of chain and a jack. The bracket includes an eye for the chain to pass through as well as a base for mounting the jack. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooks are tied together across the top of the hood so that they cannot fall down on the fender if they become unhooked.

It is, therefore, the principle object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus-for straightening automobile hoods.

A second objectiveis to provide a unique method of straightening automobile hoods.

Another object of the invention forming the subject matter hereof is the provision of a hood straightening method that does not necessitate removel of the hood from the vehicle.

Still another object of the within-described invention is to provide a hood-straightening apparatus thatv is simple to use requiring no special skills.

An additional objective of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the type aforementioned that is equally well suited for use in straightening hoods having a transversely extending bend or a twist about a longitudinal axis.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of a hood-straightening apparatus that is versatile, rugged, compact, inexpensive, safe and readily adapted to the solution of many hood-straightening problems.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawings that follows, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking down and to the left upon the front of an automobile with the hoodstraightening apparatus of the present invention shown in place upon the bent hood thereof preparatory to straightening same;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the bracket to a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the bracket of FIG. 2 and to the same scale as the latter portions thereof having been broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of one of the hooks shown to the same scale as the bracket; and,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the book of FIG. 4 to the same scale.

Referring next to the drawings for a detailed description of the present invention and, initially, to FIG. 1 for this purpose, reference numeral 10 has been chosen to represent the hood-straightening apparatus broadly while numeral 12 similarly denominates the automobile having the bent hood 14. In the particular form shown, the hood has a transverse bend or fold 16 therein such as might well result from a front end collision. The elements of the straightening apparatus comprise a length of chain 18, a bracket 20 detachably mountable in the area of the hood latch at the front of the car; a jack 22 and at least one hook-forming member 24. Generally speaking, a twisted hood requires only one hookforrning member while two are used on the bent hoods.

With specific reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 it will be seen that both the bracket and at least one of the hooks carries a key-slot-shaped eye 26 of the usual design wherein the circular portion 28 thereof is sized to easily pass thechain links while the slot-forming extension 30 thereof will receive one link while preventing those adjacent thereto from passing on through. The slotted ends of the eyes 26 lie adjacent one another in use while the circular portions are in remote relation as seen quite clearly in FIG. 1. V

In FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that bracket 20 is generally L-shaped thus'defining an upstanding portion 32 and a horizontally-disposed base portion 34. A corner slot 36 having both vertical and horizontal legs 38 and 40, respectively, defines an aperture adapted to receive an upstanding bolt fastener (42 in FIG. 1) such as is used to bolt the hood latch (not shown.) to the frame. One need only remove the nut from bolt 42, slip the latter up through aperture 36 in the base and refasten the nut to secure the bracket in its proper place beneath the hood. The vertical leg 38 in the corner slot adapts the bracket to accept a bolt from the side instead of underneath.

In the particular form shown, the upstanding portion 32 of the bracket is notched on both sides and on top as indicated by reference numerals 40 and 42, respectively, so as to produce ears 44 that seat in the hollow socket 46 (FIG. 1) ofthe jack and hold the lower end thereof in place in front of the radiator. The upper end 48 of the jack seats against the hood latch hook (not shown) or some other available appendage against which the force necessary to raise the downwardly bent portion of the hood can be exerted.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the hook-forming members 24 are generally T- shaped to define a cross-bar portion 50 and a stern portion 52. The cross-bar portion 50 is tilted relative to the.

stem portion at an angle of about 30 or so and the top margin of the cross-bar is bent at right angles to the remainder thereof to define hook 54. With the hook placed as shown in FIG. 1, one flange 55 extends more or less horizontally over the top of the hood while the other flange 56 extends vertically alongside thereof. When thus positioned, the stem extends downwardly and inwardly toward bracket 20. Pads 58 of rubber or some other protective material preferably line the insides of each hook.

Again with reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that with both hook-forming members 24 secured in place on opposite sides of the hood adjacent the bend or fold therein, the chain 18 can be passed from one to the other by way of bracket 20 and thus hold the hood down while pressure is applied by the jack to raise the front end into the broken-line straightened position. A cord 60 fastens the hook-forming members together across the top of the hood. The chain may, if desired, be permanently fastened to one of the two hookforming members in which case it need not include the key-slot-shaped eye 26 in its stem portion. The other one should, of course, be designed as shown so that the chain can be adjusted relative thereto. As a practical matter both hook-forming members are preferably identical.

From an'examination of FIG. 1 it can easily be seen how the bracket, hooks and chain cooperate with one another and with the hood hinges 62 to hold the straight portion of the hood in place while the jack is employed to raise the downturned form and end thereof. Furthermore, by releasing one hook or merely leaving slack in the chain on one side, exactly the same set up can be used to exert a torsional force necessary to correct a twisted condition.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with the hinged connection of a bent automobile hood to hold same in fixed position while straightening same which comprises: bracket means detachably mountable on an accessible stationary portion of the frame underneath the hood and forwardly of the hinged connection therefor, said means including an upstanding portion adapted to support a jack, and said upstanding portion including means for adjustably securing a chain thereto; at least one hook-forming member adapted to hook over the side margin of the raised hood forwardly of its hinged end and spaced to one side and to the rear of the bracket means, said member including a downwardlyextending stem portion with an eye therein shaped to adjustably receive and lock onto a chain; and, a length of chain connectable between the bracket means and hook-forming means, said chain being operative when stretched taut to cooperate with the hinged connection to hold the side of the hood engaged thereby in fixed position while a jack mounted atop the upstanding portion of the bracket means is actuated to exert a straightening force at a point on the underside of said hood remote from the hook-forming member.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: two hook-forming members are used, one on each side of the hood; and, in which the chain has the medial portion thereof attached to the bracket means and the opposite end portions attached to the hook-forming members.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the chain-receiving eye in the stem portion of the hookforming means is key-slot-shaped.

4. The apparatus as set forth in ,claim 1 in which: the means carried by the upstanding portion of the bracket means for adjustably securing a chain thereto comprises a key-slot-shaped eye.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the hook-forming member is generally T-shaped defining a cross-bar portion atop the stem portion, said cross-bar portion having an inverted L-shaped cross section the horizontal portion of which is adapted to hook over the top of the hood while the vertically-disposed portion rests against the side thereof.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the bracket means includes a horizontally-disposed base portion with a bolt-receiving aperture therein, said base portion being adapted for detachable connection to an upstanding frame bolt in the vicinityvof the hood latch.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the upstanding portion of the bracket member includes an ear' on the top margin thereof adapted to seat in a socket in the base ofa jack.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the upstanding portion of the bracket member is notched on both sides and the top to define a pair of divergent ears adapted to fit into a socket in the base of a jack.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which: detachable connecting means connects the hook-forming members together across the top of the hood.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which: soft pads line the inside surfaces of the cross-bar portion of the hook-forming members.

1 l. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which: the stem portion of the hook-forming member is tilted relative to the stem portion thereof so that the latter is inclined forwardly and inwardly toward the bracket means when said member is secured in place upon the side of an open hood.

12. The method of straightening bent automobile hoods while they remain hingedly attached to the vehicle in open position which comprises the steps of: placing a hook on at least one side of the hood forwardly of the hinged rear end thereof; attaching a bracket to the frame in the vicinity of the hood latch; stretching a chain between the bracket and hook so as to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween under the influence of an upwardly-directed straightening force; and, seating the base of a jack on the bracket while actuating same to apply a straightening force to the underside of the hood at a point remote from the hook. 

1. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with the hinged connection of a bent automobile hood to hold same in fixed position while straightening same which comprises: bracket means detachably mountable on an accessible stationary portion of the frame underneath the hood and forwardly of the hinged connection therefor, said means including an upstanding portion adapted to support a jack, and said upstanding portion including means for adjustably securing a chain thereto; at least one hook-forming member adapted to hook over the side margin of the raised hood forwardly of its hinged end and spaced to one side and to the rear of the bracket means, said member including a downwardlyextending stem portion with an eye therein shaped to adjustably receive and lock onto a chain; and, a length of chain connectable between the bracket means and hook-forming means, said chain being operative when stretched taut to cooperate with the hinged connection to hold the side of the hood engaged thereby in fixed position while a jack mounted atop the upstanding portion of the bracket means is actuated to exert a straightening force at a point on the underside of said hood remote from the hook-forming member.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: two hook-forming members are used, one on each side of the hood; and, in which the chain has the medial portion thereof attached to the bracket means and the opposite end portions attached to the hook-forming members.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the chain-receiving eye in the stem portion of the hook-forming means is key-slot-shaped.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the means carried by the upstanding portion of the bracket means for adjustably securing a chain thereto comprises a key-slot-shaped eye.
 5. The apparatus as set forth In claim 1 in which: the hook-forming member is generally T-shaped defining a cross-bar portion atop the stem portion, said cross-bar portion having an inverted L-shaped cross section the horizontal portion of which is adapted to hook over the top of the hood while the vertically-disposed portion rests against the side thereof.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the bracket means includes a horizontally-disposed base portion with a bolt-receiving aperture therein, said base portion being adapted for detachable connection to an upstanding frame bolt in the vicinity of the hood latch.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the upstanding portion of the bracket member includes an ear on the top margin thereof adapted to seat in a socket in the base of a jack.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which: the upstanding portion of the bracket member is notched on both sides and the top to define a pair of divergent ears adapted to fit into a socket in the base of a jack.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which: detachable connecting means connects the hook-forming members together across the top of the hood.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which: soft pads line the inside surfaces of the cross-bar portion of the hook-forming members.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which: the stem portion of the hook-forming member is tilted relative to the stem portion thereof so that the latter is inclined forwardly and inwardly toward the bracket means when said member is secured in place upon the side of an open hood.
 12. The method of straightening bent automobile hoods while they remain hingedly attached to the vehicle in open position which comprises the steps of: placing a hook on at least one side of the hood forwardly of the hinged rear end thereof; attaching a bracket to the frame in the vicinity of the hood latch; stretching a chain between the bracket and hook so as to maintain a fixed spaced relation therebetween under the influence of an upwardly-directed straightening force; and, seating the base of a jack on the bracket while actuating same to apply a straightening force to the underside of the hood at a point remote from the hook. 